Dynamics of Soil and Grain Micronutrients as Affected by Long-Term Fertilization in an Aquic Inceptisol

doi:10.1016/S1002-0160(10)60063-X

Pedosphere

Volume 20, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 725-735

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(10)60063-X Get rights and content

Abstract

Micronutrient status in soils can be affected by long-term fertilization and intensive cropping. A 19-year experiment (1990–2008) was carried out to investigate the influence of different fertilization regimes on micronutrients in an Aquic Inceptisol and maize and wheat grains in Zhengzhou, China. The results showed that soil total Cu and Zn markedly declined after 19 years with application of N fertilizer alone. Soil total Fe and Mn were significantly increased mainly due to atmospheric deposition. Applications of P and organic fertilizer with incorporation of straws resulted in dramatic increases in soil total Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn. Soil diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Cu in all treatments sharply decreased from initially 1.12 to about 0.8 mg kg⁻¹. The treatments with organic fertilizer had the highest soil DTPA-extractable Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn after 19 years of cropping and fertilization, thus demonstrating the important role of organic fertilizer application in improving available micronutrient status. Cu and Zn contents in wheat grains in the no-P treatments were significantly higher than those of the treatments with P application. In addition, Fe and Mn contents in wheat grains were positively correlated with their soil DTPA-extractable concentrations. These indicated that the long-term application of organic fertilizer resulted in significant increases in soil total and available micronutrient concentrations and remarkable reduction in wheat grain Cu and Zn contents, which was due to high soil available P.

References (38)

J. Dach et al.
Heavy metals balance in Polish and Dutch agronomy: Actual state and previsions for the future
Agr. Ecosyst. Environ.
(2005)
D. Fangueiro et al.
NPK farm-gate nutrient balances in dairy farms from Northwest Portugal
Eur. J. Agron.
(2008)
S.D. Kelly et al.
Comparison of mineral concentrations in commercially grown organic and conventional crops-Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) and lettuces (Lactuca sativa)
Food Chem.
(2010)
B.Y. Li et al.
Soil micronutrient availability to crops as affected by long-term inorganic and organic fertilizer applications
Soil Till. Res.
(2007)
S.S. Malhi et al.
Effects of long-term N fertilizer-induced acidification and liming on micronutrients in soil and bromegrass hay
Soil Till. Res.
(1998)
H.U. Neue et al.
Strategies for dealing with micronutrient disorders and salinity in lowland rice systems
Field Crop Res.
(1998)
G. Nziguheba et al.
Inputs of trace elements in agricultural soils via phosphate fertilizers in European countries
Sci. Total Environ.
(2008)
X.R. Wei et al.
Changes in soil properties and availability of soil micronutrients after 18 years of cropping and fertilization
Soil Till. Res.
(2006)
H. Agemian et al.
Evaluation of extraction techniques for the determination of metals in aquatic sediments
Analyst.
(1976)
M.C. Amacher
Nickle, cadmium and lead

L. Blake et al.

Changes in soil chemistry accompanying acidification over more than 100 years under woodland and grass at Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK

Eur. J. Soil Sci.

(1999)

S.Z. Chen et al.

Nutritive effects of ntrogen application on Zn, Mn, Fe and Mo in malting barley

J. Anhui Agr. Univ.

(1997)

Chinese Soil Taxonomy Research Group

Chinese Soil Taxonomy

(2001)

S. Goto et al.

Effects of crotalaria, sorghum and pampas grass incorporated as green manure on the yield of succeeding crops and soil physical and chemical properties

Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.

(2000)

A.T. Hu et al.

Plant Nutrition Science (in Chinese)

(2003)

D.S. Jenkinson et al.

Modeling the turnover of organic matter in long-term experiments at Rothamsted

INTECOL Bull.

(1987)

A. Kyllingsbæk et al.

Development in nutrient balances in Danish agriculture 1980–2004

Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosys.

(2007)

B.Y. Li et al.

Effect of long-term fertilization experiment on concentration of micronutrients and heavy metals in soil and brown rice

Acta Pedol. Sin.

(2009)

W.L. Lindsay et al.

Development of a DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese, and copper

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.

(1978)

Cited by (40)

Can China's overuse of fertilizer be reduced without threatening food security and farm incomes?
2021, Agricultural Systems
Citation Excerpt :
In addition, high N application has caused acidification of roughly half of the soils in China in the past decades (Chen et al., 2018) while excessive use of N also contributes to higher emissions of acidifying substances and greenhouse gases and loss of biodiversity (Ju et al., 2009; Ma et al., 2010; Kahrl et al., 2010a). Finally, high levels of P impede plant uptake of micronutrients such as copper and zinc and cause deficiencies that are transmitted to human food and animal feed (Li et al., 2010). For a long period, China's government did not conduct a very active policy in reducing fertilizer overuse.
Since 1980, China has made impressive progress in increasing agricultural production, improving food security and reducing rural poverty. Increased use of chemical fertilizer has played a vital role in this, but presently fertilizer overuse is posing severe challenges for the environment and human health. In response to this, the Chinese government has announced policies to reduce chemical fertilizer use, while at the same time supporting rural incomes and maintaining food self-sufficiency in major grains.
The objective of the paper is to assess the effectiveness of these policies in reducing the nutrient surpluses, maintaining food self-sufficiency and supporting rural incomes throughout China.
We use a spatially and socially detailed general equilibrium model of the Chinese economy to simulate the potential impact of these policies on agricultural production, environmental pollution and rural incomes. The scenarios are developed in a step-wise fashion to show the contribution of specific measures included in the policies.
Our main results are that nitrate surpluses can be reduced by more than 50% and phosphate surpluses even by more than 75% without significant negative impacts on China's food self-sufficiency, provided that the government adopts appropriate policy combinations. At the same time, the income of the average crop farmer goes up slightly compared to the business-as-usual scenario. However, the spatial variability is large, requiring supplementary targeted income support measures, particularly in poverty-stricken provinces like Shaanxi, Chongqing, Guizhou and Yunnan where also the income gains of the new policies are below average.
The results show that appropriate policy combinations should address both the efficiency of chemical fertilizer use and the intensity of organic fertilizer use. Hence, substantial efforts are necessary in mobilizing stakeholder involvement in implementing the policies.
Influence of long-term nitrogen fertilization on crop and soil micronutrients in a no-till maize cropping system
2018, Field Crops Research
Citation Excerpt :
Only a few studies have examined the interactions of N management with micronutrient uptake and concentrations in maize, and results are conflicting (e.g., Feil et al., 2005; Bruns and Ebelhar, 2006; Riedell et al., 2009; Losak et al., 2011; Ciampitti and Vyn, 2013). Nitrogen fertilization can also influence the total amount of carbon (C) and micronutrients returned to the soil surface, with long-term cropping potentially altering SOC and total and/or available soil micronutrients (Wei et al., 2006; Ben-Yin et al., 2010; Stewart et al., 2017). The long-term impact of continuous cropping and crop removal on total and available soil micronutrients necessitates more study, as does the potential importance of SOC in mediating these responses.
Sustaining or increasing micronutrient concentrations in food and feed is essential for human and animal health, yet little research has quantified the relative importance of nitrogen (N) fertilization on maize micronutrient concentrations. Nitrogen fertilization could dilute some micronutrients while increasing others (i.e., biofortification). Nitrogen fertilization also influences the amount of residue returned to the soil, potentially altering soil organic carbon (SOC) and micronutrients. While changes in soil micronutrients under long-term production are sometimes attributed to export via harvest or import via fertilization, available micronutrients are also influenced by soil organic matter — changes in SOC could impact available micronutrients. Our objectives were to (1) examine the long-term effects (14 years) of different N rates (0, 68, 120,173, 232 kg ha⁻¹) on the concentration ([]), uptake, and cycling of N and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) in no-till continuous maize and (2) assess whether nutrient removal via grain harvest, or residue return have resulted in depletion or accumulation of SOC and available and total micronutrients. Results showed a positive impact of fertilization on stover [N], [Cu] and [Mn], and increased grain [N] and [Fe]. However, fertilization decreased [Zn] in all plant fractions, indicating that maize [Zn] is susceptible to yield dilution. Total and available soil micronutrients were not impacted by fertilization, despite widely differing rates of nutrient harvest and return. Available Cu and Mn followed changes in SOC, which declined in all depths except the surface 0–7.5 cm. Available Zn increased in the surface 0–7.5 cm, with slight increases in deeper depths. Available micronutrients appear to be closely regulated by SOC in this system. These findings give additional insights into how N fertilization impacts maize micronutrient concentrations, and suggest that SOC contributes to micronutrient availability, underscoring the role of SOC in sustaining long-term soil fertility.
Crop residue incorporation can mitigate negative climate change impacts on crop yield and improve water use efficiency in a semiarid environment
2017, European Journal of Agronomy
Citation Excerpt :
In dry years, water is more limiting, and the crop is more sensitive to changes in soil moisture. RI can decrease the soil bulk density, increase soil porosity and reduce soil water evaporation (Ghuman and Sur, 2001; Haynes and Naidu, 1998; Lal, 2008; Li et al., 2010; Whitbread et al., 2000; Zeleke et al., 2004). However, current simulation models, such as APSIM, do not capture the dynamics of all of the physical processes associated with RI.
Mitigation of the deleterious impacts of climate change on agriculture is a crucial strategy for securing food resources to meet the future demand of the world with a steadily increasing population. We used a pre-validated Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) to explore the implementation of crop residue incorporation (RI) to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water use and crop yield for four winter crops at six sites in eastern Australia. Various residue management practices were simulated under current climate data and statistically downscaled climate data from 28 GCM simulations of RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for the period 1900–2100. The results showed that increasing future temperature shortened crop growth duration ranged from 7.4 ± 0.9 days °C⁻¹ for barley to 3.9 ± 1.9 days °C⁻¹ for canola. Under projected increases in the CO₂ concentration and associated climate change, the overall average crop yield for 2021–2100 in eastern Australia without RI could change by −28 ± 5% for wheat, −22 ± 6% for barley, −6 ± 6% for canola and +7 ± 17% for chickpea relative to 1951–2000 yields. With RI, crop yields could be changed by +16 ± 14% for wheat, 11 ± 12% for barley and 7 ± 8% for canola and +9 ± 17% for chickpea. Further analysis showed that greater crop transpiration was the major advantage of RI. WUE in wheat and barley also increased significantly under RI due to reduced soil evaporation and surface runoff. This effect increased under future climate changes, but the effectiveness of RI varied by location. In general, the positive effects of RI on water balance and crop yield were higher at dry sites than at wet sites. Therefore, RI can be an effective adaptation option for mitigating the impacts of climate change on winter crops by improving WUE, but is more effective in narrow-leaf cropping systems in hot and dry environments.
Vegetable yields and soil biochemical properties as influenced by fertilization in Southern China
2016, Applied Soil Ecology
Citation Excerpt :
Moreover, our work importantly pointed that addition of manure alone or in combination with mineral fertilizers can significantly alleviate soil acidification that could be caused by NPK fertilization. Li et al. (2010) found that organic manure could promote soil maturation and increase soil base saturation, which both can contribute to alleviation of soil acidification. Manure application had a positive influence on the soil microbial biomass compared to the NPK treatment.
Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is commonly excessive in vegetable production, which greatly increases the risk of N loss and may eventually lead to the contamination of adjacent surface and ground water bodies. We assessed the effects of different fertilizer treatments on vegetable yields and soil biochemical properties, with the aim to develop best fertilizer management strategy for vegetable production. A five-year study (from 2008 to 2012) was conducted on a vegetable field in Jiangsu Province, southern China, with six fertilizer treatments: no fertilizer (control; CK), mineral fertilizer (NPK), chicken manure (OM), manure combined with mineral N fertilizer (OPT), OPT plus additional N fertilizer (OPT + N) and OPT plus additional phosphorus (P) fertilizer (OPT + P). Vegetable yields were measured each year, multiple soil (0–20 cm) chemical and biochemical characteristics were analyzed at the end of the study. Moreover, the soil ammonia-oxidizing microbial community structure was analyzed based on the PCR-DGGE method. Results showed that all fertilizer treatments produced higher economic vegetable yields than CK, with the highest yields in OPT. Combined application of manure and mineral fertilizer (OPT, OPT + N and OPT + P) produced higher yields than OM and NPK that had similar yields. All treatments with manure promoted soil carbon, N and P levels and reduced the potential of soil acidity. The OPT + P treatment performed best in enhancing soil fertility, which, for example, increased the concentrations of soil total-N, nitrate-N and microbial biomass N by 15.8%, 51.0% and 53.5%, respectively, compared to OPT. In addition, the OPT + P treatment had the highest abundance and diversity of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), which was positively correlated to the soil ammonium-N and nitrate-N concentrations. Possibly, the additional P in OPT + P could stimulate soil microbial activity, with positive implications for N fertility. However, the OPT + P treatment may also increase the risk of N loss due to an increasing soil nitrate-N, making it a less desirable fertilizer management strategy. In conclusion, the combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers without additional N or P (OPT) is suggested to be the best fertilizer management strategy that can improve soil fertility and vegetable yields, and meanwhile reduces the potential of N loss from soil.
Influence of Sludge-Based Biochar on the Soil Physicochemical Properties and the Growth of Brassica chinensis L
2023, Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Assessing changes in soil quality indicators, turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) yield, and monetary returns under different years of organic nutrient management
2023, Organic Agriculture

View all citing articles on Scopus

Citation: Li, B. Y., Huang, S. M., Wei, M. B., Zhang, H. L., Shen, A. L., Xu, J. M. and Ruan, X. L. 2010. Dynamics of soil and grain micronutrients as affected by long-term fertilization in an Aquic Inceptisol.

Supported by the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (No.2006BAD05B04) and the Earmarked Fund for Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System of China.

View full text

Dynamics of Soil and Grain Micronutrients as Affected by Long-Term Fertilization in an Aquic Inceptisol

Abstract

Agr. Ecosyst. Environ.

Eur. J. Agron.

Food Chem.

Soil Till. Res.

Soil Till. Res.

Field Crop Res.

Sci. Total Environ.

Soil Till. Res.

Evaluation of extraction techniques for the determination of metals in aquatic sediments

Analyst.

Nickle, cadmium and lead

Changes in soil chemistry accompanying acidification over more than 100 years under woodland and grass at Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK

Eur. J. Soil Sci.

Nutritive effects of ntrogen application on Zn, Mn, Fe and Mo in malting barley

J. Anhui Agr. Univ.

Chinese Soil Taxonomy

Effects of crotalaria, sorghum and pampas grass incorporated as green manure on the yield of succeeding crops and soil physical and chemical properties

Jpn. J. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr.

Plant Nutrition Science (in Chinese)

Modeling the turnover of organic matter in long-term experiments at Rothamsted

INTECOL Bull.

Development in nutrient balances in Danish agriculture 1980–2004

Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosys.

Effect of long-term fertilization experiment on concentration of micronutrients and heavy metals in soil and brown rice

Acta Pedol. Sin.

Development of a DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese, and copper

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.